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Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology Jul 2021Unilateral vocal folds paralysis is a disorder that affects a patient's quality-of-life by disturbing their phonation, breathing, and swallowing activities. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Unilateral vocal folds paralysis is a disorder that affects a patient's quality-of-life by disturbing their phonation, breathing, and swallowing activities. This systematic review aimed to estimate the efficacy of voice treatment on the vocal fold motility in adult patients with unilateral vocal folds paralysis.
METHODS
PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched for retrospective and prospective cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional with comparative studies with adults that were published between 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2018. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of 10 studies containing morpho-functional evaluation results were included in the analysis. Pooled data analysis of the motility of the vocal folds before and after voice therapy allowed inferring about the efficacy of voice therapy intervention in patients with unilateral vocal folds paralysis. A random-effect model was used to estimate the effect size. Publication bias was considered.
RESULTS
The pooled data analysis of the visual-perceptual measures revealed that vocal fold motility improved in 72% (95% CI: 64.0-80.0) of all patients after the therapeutic interventions. The inconsistency index ( = 18.35%) of the studies included in this meta-analysis revealed an extremely low heterogeneity. Funnel plot and Cochran's Q test showed no publication bias. The systematic review was limited to only English language articles.
CONCLUSION
This meta-analysis supports the evidence that voice therapy intervention can have a positive effect on the vocal fold motility, that is, they can improve the glottal gap closure, irrespective of the exercises and techniques used.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Language Therapy; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Speech; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords; Voice Quality
PubMed: 32406287
DOI: 10.1080/14015439.2020.1762730 -
Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology Apr 2022Occupational voice users such as teachers, singers, and broadcasters have high vocal demands increasing the risk for developing voice disorders. Among occupational voice... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Occupational voice users such as teachers, singers, and broadcasters have high vocal demands increasing the risk for developing voice disorders. Among occupational voice users, the literature has report gender differences in vocal doses as part of vocal demands. However, these differences have not been quantified.
OBJECTIVE
To determine differences per gender on vocal doses among different groups of occupational voice users.
METHODS
A systematic review of literature and meta-analysis were conducted on publications about vocal dose among occupational voice users. In total, 242 potential articles were found. After screening of titles and abstracts, 16 papers were included for full revision in the systematic review of literature. For the meta-analysis, 7 out of 16 papers were included.
RESULTS
Females had higher phonation time percentage compared with males (mean difference = 1.44, value = .16). Nevertheless, this difference was not statistically significant. Among call centre operators, there was no difference in time doses associated with gender. Sport teachers had high values in time dose percentage, dissipation, and radiated energies.
CONCLUSIONS
The meta-analysis shows variations in time doses, which could be associated with the vocal demand responses for females compared with males in occupational voice settings. Future investigations are required for establishing safe limits criteria for vocal doses, as well as vocal functioning in different working context.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Phonation; Sex Factors; Voice; Voice Disorders; Voice Quality
PubMed: 33522325
DOI: 10.1080/14015439.2021.1873415 -
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology 2018During the aging process, natural modifications occur in the larynx and the structures involved in phonation which explain the specific characteristics found in the... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
During the aging process, natural modifications occur in the larynx and the structures involved in phonation which explain the specific characteristics found in the voices of elderly persons. When, at any moment, a voice fails and there is interference with communication, a voice disorder has occurred. This can generate disadvantages in communicative efficiency and have a negative impact on quality of life, compromising mechanisms of socialization, the maintenance of autonomy, and the sense of well-being. Nevertheless, there appears to be little clarity about which factors are associated with voice disorders in this population, especially from an epidemiological perspective.
OBJECTIVE
The present study is a literature review to identify factors associated with voice disorders among the elderly described in population-based studies.
METHODS
A systematic review of electronic databases was carried out. The methodological quality of the studies was analyzed with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. The research was conducted independently by two researchers.
RESULTS
Although two articles met the eligibility criteria, none fulfilled all the criteria for the evaluation of methodological quality. According to the two studies selected for this review, factors associated with voice disorders among the elderly included both physical and psychosocial aspects. However, the methodological discrepancies between the studies, particularly in relation to sample selection and the instruments used indicate great variability and compromise the reliability of the results.
CONCLUSION
Further prevalence studies and investigations of factors associated with voice disorders in the elderly from an epidemiological perspective, and which involve different cultures, should be carried out.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Female; Humans; Male; Publication Bias; Voice Disorders; Voice Quality
PubMed: 29331352
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2017.11.002 -
Aerosol-generating behaviours in speech pathology clinical practice: A systematic literature review.PloS One 2021To evaluate the evidence of aerosol generation across tasks involved in voice and speech assessment and intervention, to inform better management and to reduce...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the evidence of aerosol generation across tasks involved in voice and speech assessment and intervention, to inform better management and to reduce transmission risk of such diseases as COVID-19 in healthcare settings and the wider community.
DESIGN
Systematic literature review.
DATA SOURCES AND ELIGIBILITY
Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PubMed Central and grey literature through ProQuest, The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, COVID-Evidence and speech pathology national bodies were searched up until August 13th, 2020 for articles examining the aerosol-generating activities in clinical voice and speech assessment and intervention within speech pathology.
RESULTS
Of the 8288 results found, 39 studies were included for data extraction and analysis. Included articles were classified into one of three categories: research studies, review articles or clinical guidelines. Data extraction followed appropriate protocols depending on the classification of each article (e.g. PRISMA for review articles). Articles were assessed for risk of bias and certainty of evidence using the GRADE system. Six behaviours were identified as aerosol generating. These were classified into three categories: vegetative acts (coughing, breathing), verbal communication activities of daily living (speaking, loud voicing), and performance-based tasks (singing, sustained phonation). Certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate with variation in research design and variables.
CONCLUSIONS
This body of literature helped to both identify and categorise the aerosol-generating behaviours involved in speech pathology clinical practice and confirm the low level of evidence throughout the speech pathology literature pertaining to aerosol generation. As many aerosol-generating behaviours are common human behaviours, these findings can be applied across healthcare and community settings.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
Registration number CRD42020186902 with PROSPERO International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews.
Topics: Aerosols; COVID-19; Cough; Phonation; SARS-CoV-2; Singing; Speech; Speech-Language Pathology; Verbal Behavior
PubMed: 33909654
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250308 -
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine :... Sep 2020To systematically survey the scientific literature concerning the effect of playing a wind instrument or singing on sleep, snoring, and/or obstructive sleep apnea. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY OBJECTIVES
To systematically survey the scientific literature concerning the effect of playing a wind instrument or singing on sleep, snoring, and/or obstructive sleep apnea.
METHODS
The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched up to December 2019. Observational studies and (Randomized) Controlled Clinical Trials that assessed sleep, snoring, or obstructive sleep apnea as clinical outcome or via a questionnaire were included. For the individual studies, the potential risk of bias was scored. Data between oral musicians and control participants were extracted. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed.
RESULTS
Six eligible studies (5 cross-sectional, 1 randomized controlled trial) were retrieved, with an estimated potential bias ranking from low to high. The sample sizes ranged from 25 to 1,105 participants. Descriptive analysis indicated that players of a double-reed instrument have a lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea and that singers snore less compared with control participants. Playing a didgeridoo showed a positive effect on apnea-hypopnea index, daytime sleepiness, and partner's rating for sleep disturbance. The descriptive analysis could not be substantiated in the meta-analysis. The magnitude of the effect was zero to small, and the generalizability was limited because of long (professional) rehearsal time or small sample size.
CONCLUSIONS
Playing a wind instrument and singing may have a small but positive effect on sleep disorders. Considering the practicality and investment of (rehearsal) time, didgeridoo and singing are the most promising interventions to reduce obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, respectively. However, the results of this review are based on few studies and the synthesis of the evidence is graded to have low certainty.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Singing; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Snoring
PubMed: 32536365
DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.8628 -
OncoTargets and Therapy 2017The voice quality assessment of laser surgery (LS) in comparison with radiotherapy (RT) remains uncertain in T1a glottic carcinoma treatment. This systematic review and...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The voice quality assessment of laser surgery (LS) in comparison with radiotherapy (RT) remains uncertain in T1a glottic carcinoma treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to compare the voice quality of the two treatments.
METHODS
Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane with the following index words: glotti*, layn*, vocal cord, vocal, surgery, cordectomy, laser, radiation, irradiation, radiotherapy, cancer, and carcinoma for relative studies that compared the voice quality between LS and RT. Random-effect models were used, and heterogeneity was assessed.
RESULTS
A total of 14 studies were included in the analysis, consisting of 1 randomized controlled trial, 1 prospective study, and 12 retrospective studies. RT has increased the maximum phonation time (MPT; mean difference [MD] =-1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] =-3.66 to -0.11, =0.04) and decreased the fundamental frequency (MD =14.06, 95% CI =10.30-17.83, <0.00001) in comparison with LS. No statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of Voice Handicap Index, Jitter, Shimmer, and airflow rate.
CONCLUSION
RT may be a better choice for T1a glottic carcinoma treatment compared with LS because patients undergoing RT may have the advantage of increased MPT and decreased fundamental frequency. However, more multicenter, randomized, controlled trials are urgently needed to verify these differences.
PubMed: 28496338
DOI: 10.2147/OTT.S137210 -
Infant Behavior & Development Aug 2023Singing to infants is widely accepted as an enjoyable, positive, and beneficial interaction between the parent and infant across cultures. Whilst the literature suggests...
Singing to infants is widely accepted as an enjoyable, positive, and beneficial interaction between the parent and infant across cultures. Whilst the literature suggests that live infant-directed singing impacts the infant, the parent doing the singing and the dyad in powerful ways, no systematic review of the evidence has yet been conducted. To this end, this systematic review identified 21 studies that investigated the effect of live parental infant-directed singing. These impacts were categorized as either being directly related to the infant, the parent, or the parent-infant dyad. Three main themes - one for each of the impact categories considered - were identified using thematic analysis techniques; infant-directed singing impacts on: infants' emotional regulation, provides validation of the parent's role, and promotes affect attunement within the dyad. The findings reinforce the benefits of live parental infant-directed singing for all parties involved, particularly when parents sing to typically developing infants born at full term. In contrast, the findings were inconsistent for pre-term infants. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Parents; Singing
PubMed: 37343492
DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101859 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Mar 2017Research has reported the difference in a woman's voice across the different stages of the menstrual cycle. A review of the studies in singers on the influence of... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Research has reported the difference in a woman's voice across the different stages of the menstrual cycle. A review of the studies in singers on the influence of menstruation on the singing voice will enable a better understanding of these changes.
METHODS/DESIGN
A systematic literature search was carried out on PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, and regional electronic databases. The keywords "menstrual cycle," "voice change," and "singer" were used in different combinations. Only those articles that discussed the effect of menstrual cycle on the singing voice were included in the final review.
RESULTS
Six studies in the English language were identified and included in the review. Hormonal variations occur to a great extent during menstrual cycle, and these variations can influence the voice of singers. A great variability was found in the included studies. There are limited studies that have been carried out exploring the relationship between menstrual cycle and the singing voice.
CONCLUSION
Even though the studies included in the review point out toward the changes in the singing voice associated with menstrual cycle, there is a need for more studies to be carried out in diverse singing populations and in different outcome measures.
Topics: Acoustics; Biomechanical Phenomena; Electrodiagnosis; Female; Humans; Laryngoscopy; Larynx; Menstrual Cycle; Phonation; Singing; Voice Quality
PubMed: 27234008
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2016.04.018 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jan 2019We aimed to critically appraise scientific, peer-reviewed articles, published in the past 10 years on the effects of hydration on voice quality in adults.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to critically appraise scientific, peer-reviewed articles, published in the past 10 years on the effects of hydration on voice quality in adults.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a systematic review.
METHODS
Five databases were searched using the key words "vocal fold hydration", "voice quality", "vocal fold dehydration", and "hygienic voice therapy". The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The included studies were scored based on American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's levels of evidence and quality indicators, as well as the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool.
RESULTS
Systemic dehydration as a result of fasting and not ingesting fluids significantly negatively affected the parameters of noise-to-harmonics ratio (NHR), shimmer, jitter, frequency, and the s/z ratio. Water ingestion led to significant improvements in shimmer, jitter, frequency, and maximum phonation time values. Caffeine intake does not appear to negatively affect voice production. Laryngeal desiccation challenges by oral breathing led to surface dehydration which negatively affected jitter, shimmer, NHR, phonation threshold pressure, and perceived phonatory effort. Steam inhalation significantly improved NHR, shimmer, and jitter. Only nebulization of isotonic solution decreased phonation threshold pressure and showed some indication of a potential positive effect of nebulization substances. Treatments in high humidity environments prove to be effective and adaptations of low humidity environments should be encouraged.
CONCLUSIONS
Recent literature regarding vocal hydration is high quality evidence. Systemic hydration is the easiest and most cost-effective solution to improve voice quality. Recent evidence therefore supports the inclusion of hydration in a vocal hygiene program.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Organism Hydration Status; Speech Acoustics; Voice Quality
PubMed: 29122414
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2017.10.001 -
American Journal of Otolaryngology 2024In early glottic squamous cell carcinoma, similar results have been described in terms of disease control between transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiation... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Comparative Study Review
PURPOSE
In early glottic squamous cell carcinoma, similar results have been described in terms of disease control between transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiation therapy (RT). During the past two decades, several studies compared subjective vocal outcomes of exclusive RT with those of TLM, showing a trend towards improving results for TLM over time. However, the objective differences in terms of spectro-acoustic voice parameters between exclusive RT and TLM have been less frequently investigated. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate voice quality after TLM and RT treatment for early glottic carcinoma, based on acoustic analysis parameters including jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio, fundamental frequency and maximum phonation time.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A search of the English published literature was conducted on the Pubmed, Scopus and Cochrane databases following PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A total of 441 titles were retrieved from the search. After full-text screening and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 12 articles were included. We found no significant differences between TLM and RT treatment in the considered acoustic analysis parameters, except for Shimmer, with more favorable values reported in the RT group.
CONCLUSIONS
Considering the spread of the disease and expecting an improvement in long-term survival over time, well-designed and multicentric studies involving larger populations with a long-term follow up are mandatory to better assess objective voice outcomes in terms of spectro-acoustic voice parameters.
Topics: Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Microsurgery; Glottis; Laser Therapy; Voice Quality; Neoplasm Staging; Treatment Outcome; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Speech Acoustics; Male
PubMed: 38579506
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104272